Sleep is something that many people take for granted.
You go to bed when you're tired, and get up when you need to wake up.
But how much sleep do you really need?
And how does lack of sleep affect your health? We'll answer these questions in this blog post!
How Much Sleep Do You Need?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
But how much is enough?
Based on how you feel when you wake up and how well-rested you are during the day, it's important for everyone to find out what works best for them.
We're all different and how much sleep we need will depend on a lot of factors, including our genetics and the amount of exercise we do.
But there are some general guidelines to follow that might help you determine how many hours you should be getting every night.
These guidelines include how old you are, how much sleep you need when recovering from a sleepless night, how healthy your lifestyle is, and how alert or sleepy during the day.
Generally speaking, the National Sleep Foundation recommends that:
- A child between the ages of four and ten needs about 11 to 13 hours of sleep, typically with some naps.
- Teens need at least nine hours but may require more depending on how much their body is naturally inclined for – which can change from day to night, or as they age.
- For adults, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend seven to nine hours.
- Adults over 60 years old may need as many as eight hours of sleep per night because their body requires more time to process natural hormones.
What Are the Consequences of Not Getting Enough Sleep?
If you're sleepy all day, it can impact how well you work or study.
You may also have trouble with your mood and concentration levels.
Lack of sleep could also lead to an increased risk for diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hormonal imbalance, and obesity-related illness!
Lack of sleep can also lead to dangerous behavior.
You may fall asleep while driving, have a machine malfunction at work, or be less careful in how you handle your personal care items.
There are many consequences if we don't get the recommended amount of sleep every night!
Strategies to Help you Get More Sleep
There are many things you can do to help yourself get more sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults:
- Establish a regular bedtime and wake time
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, or other substances before bed
- Create your own personal sleep ritual such as reading in bed for 20 minutes
or taking a warm bath
- Keep your room dark, cool and comfortable
- Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows
The Benefits of Sleeping Well On A Regular Basis
The National Sleep Foundation says that getting enough sleep will improve how you feel during the day, how well you work or study, how much energy you have, how you feel emotionally, how much weight you gain or lose, and how your skin looks.
Regular sleep also helps how you manage stress, how your immune system works and how well you age.
Sleeping enough each night will also help how you feel over time, how your brain works during the day and how balanced your hormones are.
There are many benefits to getting enough sleep every night!
Conclusion
How much sleep do you need? It’s a question that many of us have asked ourselves at some point in time.
We all know how important it is to get enough rest, but what does “enough” actually mean?
Unfortunately, there isn’t one hard and fast answer for this that applies to everyone.
The amount of sleep we require varies depending on our age; the number of hours slept during childhood leads to an adult's optimal length for slumber.
A baby needs 16-18 hours each day while adults should be aiming for 7-9 hours per night.